Automatic control valve



Filed April 16} 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTVOYR:

Patented Oct. 27, 1936 UNITED STATES Herschel Harrah, Indianapolis,Ind., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Union Carbide and Carhon Corporation, acorporation of New York Application April is, 1931, SerlalNo. 530,630 22Claims. (01. 137-153) The invention is an automatic control valve to beused at the junction of a plurality of supply lines and a delivery line,and its purpose is to connect the delivery-line to only one supply lineat a time; to show the pressure in each supply line; to automaticallyshift from one supply line to another when the one in use becomesexhausted; and to maintain a substantially'uniform pressure in thedelivery line. The valve is especially adapted for such use when thesupply is subject to variations in pressure and exhaustion, suchas-tanks or cylinders ofliquified hydrocarbon gas. The delivery line maybe connected to any-gas consuming apparatus or appliances such as a gasstove or a gas light.

The valve is entirely automatic in action so that the only manualattention required is that of replacing the exhausted cylinders withfull ones, and it is also provided with means for preventing leakagefrom a reserve cylinder into the valve from causing it to open a newsource of supply before the one in use has become exhausted. Other newand useful features will be apparent from the following specificationand the accompanying. drawings in which: I

'Fig.- 1 is a side view of my control valve with the lower portionthereof in section, and;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the upperportlon of my valve taken alongline 2--2 of Fig. 1.

The control valve may, for purpose of explanation, be considered in twoparts: the upper, comprising an automatic supply selecting mechanism;and the lower, comprising a pressure regulating mechanism. .Under someconditions of service either of these sections, especially the upper,may be used separately, but on account of their interaction betterresults will be attained of the control valve comprises theaforementionedv inlet chambers each having one wall formed by a pressureresponsive member such as a diaphragm which may separate the chambersand be common to both.- Each inlet chamber has an inlet passage leadingto one of the supply lines which, in turn, is. connected with one ofthe.

sources oi supply. Associated with each inlet chamber is a valve that isoperated by a move'-.

ment of the diaphragm to open and close the inlet thereto. These inletvalves are arranged so that when one is closed the other is open therebyadmitting gas from only one supply at a time.v For convenience, thevalve operating stems may be attached together and to the diaphragm,either directly or indirectly, so that they move in unison, andpreferably they are attached to opposite sides ofthe diaphragm so thatone stem is in each inlet chamber. A pressure indicator or gauge isconnected to each supply line near the control valve for the purpose ofshowing when a source of supply such as one of the cylinders hase becomeexhausted and should be replaced by a full one.

The upper portion of the valve comprises tw identical or complementarymetal casing portions Ill and Il having respective flanges l2 and I3 bywhich the casing portions are held together, and to aninterposeddiaphragm l4 of suitable material such as rubber, by a plurality ofbolts I5 thereby forming two inlet chambers 16 and H. In one wall of thecasingportion l0, preferably that opposite the diaphragm, there is anopening in which a valve case 18 is secured by a nut l9. An inletpassage extends through this valve case, and around the inner end ofthis passhown, is attached when the valve is in use. The

valve seat 22 has the additional function of a' gasket that seals theopening between the inner end of the connection 23 and the bottom of theenlarged opening in the valve case l8. While the openings through theconnection 23, valve seat 22, and valve case iii, are in alignment, witha side passage leading to the pressure-gage 24,

this arrangementis not imperative, as the valve will operatesatisfactorily when thepassage is of other shape. k

Inlet chamber ll,like its companion chamber 5, has a valve. ease 26,nut'2l, projection 28, forming a guide for valve stem 29, valve seat 3n,connection 3i, and pressure gage 32 T- j For convenience in mounting,he. valve stems ti and 2% have enlarged inner ends'f'tt and M in contactwith the diaphragm l4, and stem 2| has a threaded projection 35 thatextends through an opening at the center of the diaphragm into athreaded cavity in the enlarged end of stem 26. By means of thisthreaded connection between the stems they are held together and clampedto the diaphragm which serves as a packing or gasket between them sothat leakage between the inlet chambers is prevented. The diaphragm 4also serves as a gasket by which the joint between the casing sectionsIn and H is rendered gas tight. The outer ends of the valve stems 2| and29 rest in their respective valve guides 20 and 28 with a loose orsliding fit so that'they are free to move into contact with theirrespective valve seats 22 and 36 when moved by, the diaphragm I4, and sothat incoming gas can pass between the stems and their guides. v

The lower part of the control valve comprises a pressure regulatorhaving two inlets to the pressure chamber. Each inlet leads to one ofthe inlet chambers l6 and I1, and it is opened and closed by a valvethat is operated by a diaphragm responsive to the pressure in thecontrol or outlet chamber.

This pressure regulator comprises two casing parts 36 and 31 that areclamped together and to an interposed diaphragm 38 by a plurality ofbolts 39. The space between the casing part 36 and the diaphragm 38forms an outlet or control chamber 40in which there is a pressure towhich the diaphragm is responsive when the valve is in operation.

The diaphragm 38 is resiliently pressed into or toward the chamber 40 bya spring 4| that rests against an adjusting screw 42 extending outwardthrough the casing part 31 and secured in adjusted position by a jam nut43. By loosening this nut 43, the adjusting screw 42 may then be turnedto place the required tension on the diaphragm 38 to secure the desiredpressure in chamber 40. A cap 44 secured to casing 31 by a set screw 45covers jam nut 43 and the exposed end of screw 42 and protects them fromaccidental movement.

Attached to one side of casing 36, such as the lower, is a nipple orcollar 46 having an opening therethrough that serves as an outlet forchamber 40. This nipple may be threaded to fit a suitable outlet pipe,not shown, or it may be provided with other means to which an outletpipe or conduit maybe coupled.

Attached to another side of casing 36, such as the upper, is a valvebody 41. The nipple 46 and the valve body 41 may be attached'to thecasing 36 by solder or other suitable means, al-

though, for the purpose of removal, the valve body 41 is provided withan enlargement or head 48 that is held against the inner surface ofcasing 36 by one or more jam nuts 49 threaded to the portion of thevalve body that extends upward outside of the casing. One or morewashers 50 may be interposed between the nuts 49 and the outer surfaceof casing 36 when desirable.

The valve casing 41 has two passages and 52 formed therein that leadupward from chamber 40. Threaded into one side of valve body 41 is anelbow 53 that is connected to casing portion II by nipple 54, therebyconnecting passage 52 with chamber H. A similar elbow 55 and nipple 56connect passage 5| with chamber I6. It is understood, however, thatother means may be employed to connect chamber 40 with chambers l6 andI! as the means by which they are connected is not vital so long as theyare separate. a

The lower end of, passages 5| and 52 are enlarged or recessed where theyenter chamber 40 so that valve seats 51 and 58 are formed at thebottom'of recesses 59 and 66, and valves 6| and 62 are respectivelylocated in'the recesses so that their faces 63 and 64 of suitablematerial may be respectively seated on the seats 51 and 58 to closepassages 5| and 52.

The valves 6| and 62 are operated by a rocker arm 65 that is interposedbetween the valves and an actuating arm 66 that is pivoted on a bearingpin '68 carried by a projection 61 depending from valve body 41. Thelower end of actuating arm 66 is forked to receive pin 69 carried byactuating rod that is secured to diaphragm 38 in a Well known manner. 70may, however, extend through diaphragm 38 and be joined to a diaphragmsupporting disk 'i'l and a seat 12 for spring 4|.

When the control valve is in operation a source of supply such as a tankor cylinder of liquefied hydrocarbon gas is connected with each 'of theinlet connections 23 and 3|, and suitable gas consuming devices orappliances are connected with nipple 46.

When gas from one of the cylinders is turned into the valve, say throughconnection 3 it flows through valve 30 which is open, into inlet chamberout through nipple 54 and elbow 53 into passage 52, and then throughvalve 58 which is open into chamber 40. When sufficient pressure hasbeen'built up in chamber 40 to move dia phragm 38 to the right againstthe pressure of spring 4|, valves 6| and 62 will be moved to closedposition by actuating arm 66, and the parts associated therewith,thereby closing both of the passages 5| and 52 so that the flow of gasinto chamber 40 is stopped. Pressure will then be built up in inletchamber suflicient to move diaphragm M to the left until the end ofvalve stem 2| seats on valve seat 22 thereby closing the inlet tochamber I6. This series of movements takes place quickly so that when asecond cylinder is coupled to connection 23 and the gas is turned on theinlet to chamber I6 is found to be closed.

The valve is now in condition for operation. As gas is used the pressurein chamber 40 is lowered and spring 4| forces the diaphragm 38 to theleft and opens valves 6| and 62 by means of the interconnectingmechanism so that more gas is admitted from chamber H to maintain thepressure. As the operation of pressure regulators is well known furtherdescription of the operation of this portion of the control valve isdeemed unnecessary.

One important improvement, however, in the pressure regulating portionof this valve is the use of two inlets and inlet valves instead of one.By placing valves 6| and'62 in separate inlets from the chambers l6 andII'any rise in pressure in chamber I6 above that in chamber 40, due toleakage past its closed inlet valve, is lowered to that in chamber 40each time valves 6| and 62 are opened. This structure prevents leakagepast a closed inlet valve from raising the pressure in the closed inletchamber to that of the open one. Such leakage would cause the diaphragmM to move to its central position, in which the inlet valves to bothinlet chamberswould be open so that gas would be used from both sourcesof supply, thereby exhausting them simultaneously.

The rod This would be an undesirable condition as the delivery linewould. then be without gas until another cylinder had been secured andconnected. With the valve 'in the condition described gas will be usedfrom chamber Il until the source of supply connected thereto isexhausted and the pressure in this chamber is reduced-to substantiallythat of chambers Ill and I6. when this condition is reached diaphragm 14will no longer hold valve stem 21 againstits seat 22 and consequentlygas will be admitted into chamber l8 thereby raising the pressuretherein sumcient to move the diaphragm to the right until valve stem 29is firmly seated on valve seat 30 and the inlet to chamber I1 is closed.The valve will then continue to operate by drawing gas from chamber l6and its associated sourcevoisupply.

A visual inspection 01' the control valve when in this condition willshow a high pressure on gage 24 and a low pressure on gage 32. Thiscondition indicates to the user that the gas in the cylinder connectedto chamber H has been exhausted and that it should be replaced by a fullone. The full cylindermay be connected when convenient and no gas willescape from the control valve during the operation as the inlet tochamber I1 is closed. For the same reason, no gas will be used from thisnew cylinder until that connected to chamber l6 has been exhausted anddiaphragm l4, and its associated valve have reversed their position. Asshown by the Ioregoing description, the onlyattention required by thiscontrol valve is that of replacing the empty gas cylinders with fullones. This valve is not limited to any particular source of supply orsupply pressure, or to any particular delivery pressure or gas consumingappliances, as it may be used wherever a valve having itscharacteristics is, desirable. Furthermore, its component parts may bealtered in appearance and arrangement to meet specific conditions, andother or equivalent materials may be employed instead 01 thosespecified.- I claim:

1. Acontrol valve comprising the combination closing either one or theother of the inlets; and

means responsive to the pressure at said outlet for controlling thepressure at said outlet.

- 2. A control valve comprising'two inlets and an outlet; meansresponsive to the pressure within said valve for controlling thepressure at said outlet; and means responsive to the diflerence inpressure at said inlets for closing the inlet at which the pressure islow and opening the inlet at which the pressure is high.

than that of said outlet.

4. A fluid control valve comprising a casing having an outlet and twoinlets at which the fluid pressure at either inlet may vary'independently of that at the otherinle't; means responsive to thepressure at said 'outlet for con trolling the flow of said fluid betweenb oth of said inlets and said outlet: and means within saidvalveresponslve to the fluid pressure at both of inletstor maintainingeither of said inthe inlet chambers and the outlet chamberpling saidvalve to' two exhaustible sources of either; an outlet for saidoutletchamber; and

a valve in each oisaid lets closed while the pressure at the other inletis. above that at said outlet. I

5. A control valve comprising the combination of two inlet chambers andan outlet chamber;

a passage between each of saidiniet chambers s and said outlet chamber;:inlets tor the inlet chambers and pressure responsive means in controlthereof; and pressure responsive means in control of the passage offluid between both oi ing said chambersp an inlet for each oi saidchambers; an outlet for each oi'said chambers; valve means operable bysaid diaphragm for closing either of said inlets; an outlet chamber; andpressure responsive means controlling the flow of fluid between theinlet and outlet chambers.

8. A control valve com'prising'means ior cou- 30 gas supply; means forautomatically closing said valve to one of saidsources ofsupply when itbecomes exhausted, and for opening said valve. to the other of saidsources of supply; means for 1 coupling said valve to a gas usingappliance; and means for maintaining the gas delivered to said applianceat aunitorm pressure. p

9. A control valve comprising the combina- -tion oi an outlet chamber;two inlet chambers;

a passage-between said outlet chamber and each 40 or said inletchamber's; an inlet for each or said "inlet chambers; an outlet for saidoutlet chamtion or two inlet chambers and an. outlet chamber; a gasinlet-for each of said inlet chambers; a connecting e between each ofsaid inlet chambers and said outlet chamber: selective means responsiveto the pressure in both oi said inlet chambers for closing the inlet to86 means for controlling the flow of gas irom said openinlet chamber tosaid outlet chamber. and for preventing a leakage of gas into saidclosed inlet chamber from reversing the position oi said selectivemeans.

11. A control valve comprising an outlet chambe: and .two inlet chambersconnected therewith by separate es; a diaphragm responsive to thepressure in both 0! said inlet chambers: an inlet for each or said inletchambers; a valvein each ofv Baldinlets having valve stems attachedtogetherand'to'said diaphragm; and

12. A control valve two inlet cham- I bers; a diaphragm forming one wallor each of 7 said chambem. a gas inlet for each or said chambers: aninlet valve in each oi'said inlets operable bysaid diaphragm: an outletchamber;

a passage from each of said inlet chambers to said outlet chamberrandmeans responsive to 15 the pressure 'in said outlet chamber for openingand closing said passages.

13. A control valve comprising twoinlet chambers; an outlet chamber; acommunicating passage from each of said inlet chambers to said outletchamber; an inlet for each of said inlet chambers; an outlet for saidoutlet chamber; a diaphragm forming one wall of each of said inletchambers; valve means operable by said diaphragm for closing either ofsaid inlets; means for indicating the pressure at each of said inlets;and means for opening and closing both of said passages simultaneously.

14. A control valve comprising two inlet chambers; a pressure responsivediaphragm-forming one wall of each of said chambers; an inlet for eachof said chambers; a valve seat in each of said inlets; a projectionsurrounding each of said inlets forming a valve guide; an outlet foreach of said chambers leading to a common outlet chamber; and a valveresting in each of said guides and movable by said diaphragm into contact with one of said valve seats.

15.,In apparatus of the character described, means for delivering fluidat a constant pressure to apparatus adapted for employing the same andfrom a plurality of sources; means forming a communication between thedelivery means and the several sources; means operable automatically andresponsively to a diiferential in pressure between the various sourcesfor shifting connection of the delivery means from a source, of lower toa source of higher pressure; and means operable automatically tomaintain the delivered fluid at constant pressure and uninterrupted inflow, said means including pressure responsive mechanism under influenceof said fluid.

16. A control valve comprising the combination of two inlet chambers andan outlet chama her; a gas inlet for each of said inlet chambers; anoutlet for said outlet chamber; selective means responsive to thepressure in' both or said inlet chambers for closing the inlet to one;and means for relieving the gas pressure in said closed inlet chambercaused by leakage so it will not reverse the position of said selectivemeans.

17. A control valve includingrtwo inlet chambers; pressure responsivemeans separating the chambers; an inlet and an outlet for each chamber;means operable by the pressure responsive .means for selectively closingthe inlets; and

means restraining the movement of said pressure responsive means" so asto'prevent it from closing the outletsfor said inletv chambers.

- 18..A control valve including two inlet chambers; a diaphragmseparating the chambers; an inlet and an outlet for each chamber; andvalves for controlling the flow of a fluid through each of said inlets;said diaphragm being adapted to close one of said valves andsimultaneously open the other of said valves, and said diaphragm andvalves being adapted to operate so as to permit the flow of fluidthrough the outlet of the chamber whose inlet valve is closed.

19. A control valve comprising the combination of a casing having aninlet chamber and an outlet chamber; pressure-responsive meansseparating said inlet chamber into two portions; an

inlet for each 01' said portions; an outlet for each of said portionscommunicating with said outlet chamber; and means operable by thepressureresponsive means for selectively closing the inlet underinfluence of a drop in pressure at one or the other of said inlets, saidlast-mentioned means and said pressure-responsive means being adapted atall times to permit flow between each of said portions and itsrespective outlet.

20. In a control valve, the combination of a casing having a pair ofchambers therein and an inlet and an outlet to each chamber; pressureresponsive means responsive to pressure changes in both chambers; valvemeans operable by the pressure responsive means and capable of beinginitially positioned for maintaining one of the inlets open and theother closed after being set in such position and to automaticallyreverse the open and closed relation of the valve means to the inletswhen the pressure on the pressure responsive means in the chamber withwhich the initially open inlet communicates falls below the pressureexerted on the pressure responsive means in the other chamber from theoutlet thereof.

21. A control valve comprising the combination of a chambered memberhaving two inlets and an outlet; means responsive to changes inselectively close the inlets upon development of a pressure differentialbetween the inlets such that the pressure at one of the inlets issubstantially the same as that at the outlet and lower than that at theother inlet.

22. A'control .valve comprising the combination of a casing having apassage therethrough provided with two inlets and an outlet; and meansfor selectively closing one of the inlets, said means comprising amember operable in response to a drop in pressure at the inlet beingclosed, s'uch drop being to a pressure not greater than the pressm'e atsaid outlet when the pressure at the other inlet is higher than that atsaid outlet, and closing means for the inlets connected with suchpressure responsive member.

